Bethany College Baseball Field
Lombardi was happy to be a part of the upgrades to the Bethany College Baseball Field, which included new turf and dugouts.
Brooke High School Scoreboards
Lombardi worked with the Brooke County Board of Education to replace the baseball, softball, and soccer scoreboards.
$1 Million NCWV Airport Terminal Renovation Effort Complete
Briddgeport, West Virginia. (May 30, 2015) –When North Central West Virginia Airport Director Rick Rock told members of the airport’s governing body – the Benedum Airport Authority – that nearly $1 million in renovations to the terminal building would catch one’s eye, he wasn’t stretching the truth. The once drab building is now a bit of a showpiece for the airport.
“It’s great because it’s eye catching,” said Rock. “To me it looks great and to see people come in here and know that it’s not just something that looks good, but improves the function of the building is a big deal.”
The big deal came with a price tag of nearly $1 million. After some additional change orders were added, the total project cost was roughly $977,000. Airport Improvement Project (AIP) dollars that are awarded through the FAA for reaching 10,000 passengers annually covered the cost of the project. The dollars have to be used on airport improvements. Lombardi Construction Company out of Follansbee was the contractor.
“These improvements are definitely something we needed to see happen,” said Rock. “Our terminal is something we can all be proud of. What was done definitely meets my expectations of what I wanted it to look like.”
The most visible look is the new canopy over the main entrance. Prior to the new canopy, buses or other large vehicles could not fit under the canopy, which was problematic for large groups unloading in bad weather. The new canopy is not only functional, but is done in a silver finish with a large “North Central West Virginia Airport” sign that lights up on top.
On the right side of the building – for those approaching the airport via the Route 50 entrance – there is another lit up sign. Those heading that way will see a large “CKB Terminal” sign. CKB are the FAA call letters for the airport.
Along with that change, windows were replaced for energy efficiency and a flat rubber roof on parts of the building were upgraded and improved. Also, the daily parking lot to the left of the terminal building that had long been gravel is now paved and marked.
The only thing that wasn’t done was the upgrade of the baggage carousel. That was eliminated to allow for other improvements on the building Rock said was built in the 1960s.
Nicole Jones, EI a staff engineer with the Thrasher Group, briefed the Authority at the most recent meeting. She said that the project was essentially complete.
The airport will celebrate the renovations with a ribbon-cutting ceremony June at 3 p.m. The ceremony will coincide with the inaugural Allegiant flight service to Myrtle Beach.
Copyright, 2015, Connect Bridgeport | Link
Follansbee Chamber Taps Citizen Of Year, Honors Others
FOLLANSBEE, West Virginia. (Nov 9, 2014) – After being presented the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year award, Bill Schwertfeger remarked, “This is a real triple whammy for me.”
Schwertfeger joked that first he was crowned king of the city’s senior Christmas party a couple of years ago, then named Veteran of the Year by the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation earlier this year.
He said the second honor meant a lot to him but he also appreciates the Citizen of the Year award as it comes from his peers.
“I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations,” he told the many attending the chamber’s annual dinner Friday at St. Francis Centre.
Chamber President Tony Paesano said it was Schwertfeger’s service both to his community and to his country that led to his being chosen for the honor.
A lifelong Follansbee resident, Schwertfeger was a sergeant in a machine gun platoon of the Army’s 34th Infantry Division during World War II and received a combat infantry badge and Bronze Star for his service, which included helping to liberate Italy from Nazi rule while participating in the battle of Monte Cassino.
A retired educator, he taught at Colliers and Hooverson Heights primary schools and served as principal and instructional supervisor for schools in Ohio. He also served on Follansbee Council for six years and as commander of Follansbee American Legion Post 45.
Paesano and other chamber leaders also honored several others for their community service and presented grants to six local teachers for special school projects with the help of special guests U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and his wife, Gayle, who is president of the state board of education.
The honorees were:
The Brooke High School student body, which Paesano said put in 22,000 hours of volunteer service during the 2013-14 school year, including collecting 6,000 nonperishable food items for the R.E.A.C.H. Program food pantry, filling 150 Christmas stockings for military serving abroad and purchasing $6,000 in toys distributed to children in need by the Salvation Army and Bernie’s Kids.
Toni Shute, the school’s principal, was presented the Educator of the Year award for her leadership in such efforts, including raising $10,000 for the Mozingo family after a gas explosion destroyed their home and killed their daughter, Hannah; as well as her nearly 40 years of service to Brooke County Schools, where she has been a teacher, coach and principal.
Recognition and a $300 donation from the chamber also went to Lisa Myers, Charlene Smith and Linda Abercrombie, volunteers with the school’s Parent-Teacher-Student Association for its efforts in establishing a clothes closet and food pantry for students at the school in need.
David Secrist, for his efforts as chairman and in other volunteer positions for the Brooke-Hancock American Cancer Society Relay for Life; as a local emergency medical technician and volunteer firefighter and former teacher at Follansbee Middle School, where he initiated a student-run television newscast, wellness center for students and mini Relay for Life.
James McFadden, for his involvement with the Brooke County Gettysburg Address speech contest over 38 years, including 30 of them as coordinator andmaster of ceremonies.
George Dragonir, who has led a Follansbee American Legion committee that has solicited funds to send an unprecedented number of youth to Boys State leadership camp in recent years.
A Navy veteran, Dragonir also has served as president and treasurer of the post and as a major in the Wheeling Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and member of the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad.
Sharing the Business of the Year award were:
Eric Fithyan, owner of Chambers and James Funeral Homes, which has supported veterans and current service members through such efforts as Sweaters for Veterans and Wreaths Across America and Operation Valentine.
Fithyan also has organized a 9-11 Patriot Walk in memory of first responders killed that day and served as president of the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club and coordinator of the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas parade.
Joe Mullenbach, owner of Mullenbach Funeral Home, who served for more than 20 years in the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club, chairing its chicken barbecue fundraiser and Christmas luminaria project; was president of the Wellsburg Lions Club and currently is a member of the Brooke Hills Park board and boards for three local cemeteries.
He also has been a supporter of Follansbee Community Days, the Wellsburg 4th of July and other local events and causes.
Paul and Karolee Lombardi, owner of Lombardi Development. Paesano noted the 15-year-old business has been responsible for the construction of many local businesses as well as several renovations at West Virginia University and two projects that earned it awards from the American Institute of Architects-West Virginia: the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folk Life Center at Fairmont State University and Raleigh County Judicial Center.
He added the Lombardis have quietly supported various causes, particularly those involving youth.
Pat Accettolo, chairman of the chamber’s education committee, presented grants to the following teachers:
Megan Harless of Follansbee Middle School, for digital cameras and related material to be used by students working on the school’s newspaper.
Scott Abercrombie of Follansbee Middle School, for digital balances and hexagonal weighing boats to be used to introduce students to principles of chemistry.
Suzanne Davidson of Hooverson Heights Primary School, for a Science Saturday event in March that will include the Starlab inflatable planetarium from the S.M.A.R.T. Center in Wheeling and other activities aimed at piquing an interest in science-related careers.
Carrie Ciccolella of Hooverson Heights Primary School, for a Valentines dinner and dance for pupils and their parents where they will learn dance steps together.
Terry Mains of Jefferson Primary School, for sets of nonfiction books and guides designed to develop children’s reading comprehension skills.
Debra Rea of Jefferson Primary School, for the Listening Program, which involves iPods and headphones and is designed to teach children various musical genres and improve their listening skills.
As guest speaker, Manchin touched on many current issues, but he also talked about issues closer to home.
He said when he and his siblings were growing up, his grandmother “made us cognizant there were people in the world who needed our help. She didn’t have much but she had a bed and a bath.”
Manchin said his grandmother’s help was contingent upon three rules: “You can’t swear, you can’t drink and you’ve got to work.”
He said his grandmother also told him, quoting Theodore Roosevelt, “that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Manchin said infighting between members of the Democratic and Republican parties has caused many citizens to lack faith in Congress and it’s something he’s tried to avoid.
“Most people in America aren’t sure if we really care. And we’ve got to clean this mess up,” he said.
Manchin said somehow the U.S. must attempt to return to the optimism and drive of John F. Kennedy. He said while Kennedy supported social programs, he also called for more civic involvement.
He said Congress must work to address its financial debt and improve opportunities for youth, but too many have come to rely on the government to resolve all problems.
“If he (Kennedy) were here today, he might ask something like, ‘Ask not what your country will do for you but if you can do anything for your country,” Manchin said.
Copyright, 2014, Herald-Star | Link
Many Teams Assist Brooke Students In Need
WELLSBURG , West Virginia. (Nov 3, 2014) – For years the Brooke County Council PTA has helped to clothe local children in need, working with school officials to have them bussed to its clothes closet, where they have received assorted clothing and shoes.
But it’s sometimes been difficult to persuade students at Brooke High School to participate, said Principal Toni Shute, so the school is working with its PTA and many others to make clothing and food available at the school.
The school’s PTA and staff also are taking measures to help teens in need feel more comfortable about receiving help.
Shute explained that periodically male and female students will be invited to browse for clothing in two rooms in the vocational department designated B Men’s Wear and the Bruin Boutique in an effort to create the atmosphere of a clothing store.
Signs with arrows leading to the rooms identify the area as a Pay It Forward Zone.
“We’re trying to tell them, “we want to help you and all we’re asking is that some day you help someone else,” said Charlene Smith, a volunteer with the school’s Parent-Teacher-Student Association.
There also is a pantry by the rooms, where various nonperishable food and personal hygiene products may be packed in backpacks for the students to take home.
Shute said because the school’s homeroom teachers have the same students all four years, they get to know the youth pretty well and often know if one’s family is facing financial hardships.
And, they have been encouraged to ask students if they know of anyone who may need help, she said.
Shute and others said they know there is a need. About 35 students participating in the afterschool tutoring program established there in recent years also receive dinner.
She noted the food pantry will enable students to take food home with them for weekends and breaks.
Smith said the clothes closet operated by the Brooke County Council PTA in Wellsburg has aided more than 100 children so far this year.
Shute said the success in establishing the area, which she calls Bruins Helping Bruins, in a few months demonstrates to her there is some divine influence at work.
As it was being planned, she received a call from Mark Mazzella, a community coordinator with AmeriCorps, asking if she had a project in which volunteers with the group could take part.
The volunteers stripped and painted the rooms, solicited food and monetary donations and distributed fliers explaining its purpose.
Shute and Lisa Myers, president of the school’s PTSA, said many have donated labor, money or food for the effort.
Coat racks were donated by Barbara Beatty, owner of a former consignment shop. Shelves were made by Ralph Smith’s carpentry class at the school with boards recycled by from boards that were part of bleacher sections that had been removed earlier at Follansbee Middle School.
Rob Robinson, the school district’s facilities supervisor, supplied a refrigerator for the food pantry. And Two Brothers Dry Cleaning of Steubenville cleaned some donated coats at a discount.
Monetary donations were made by Weirton Medical Center, NC Sportz, Vito’s 2, the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce, Lombardi Development, attorney Mike Simon and donations of money, food and gift cards came from the Wellsburg Kroger store, Jackie’s Florist, Brooke Hills Park and several churches and PTA chapters.
PTA members also have volunteered to man the three rooms.
Linda Abercrombie, another PTA volunteer, said the group will continue to accept donations of clothing in all sizes and money, which can be used to purchase food, new underwear and other items that are lacking.
She added the clothes closet operated by the county PTA council in Wellsburg also is accepting donations, including coats for the winter.
Donations for the high school program may be dropped off at the school’s main office during school hours, while a drop-off bin has been established outside the council PTA council’s clothes closet at 26th Street and Pleasant Avenue.
For information, call (304) 670-7468.
Shute said, “No child should have to worry about anything but getting an education when they enter the doors of this high school or any school. We have children in poverty in Brooke County, and we must do everything possible to level the playing field for each one of them.”
“The education of Brooke’s students has been strengthened because of our business leaders, churches and community organizations and all of the wonderful people in the Ohio Valley.”
Copyright, 2014, Herald-Star | Link